Effectiveness of the Ward Tribunal in Resolving Land Conflicts in Rapidly Urbanising Cities in Tanzania

Abstract

Land conflicts are prevalent in many urban areas globally, often stemming from rapid urbanisation, competing land uses, and population growth. This study focused on examining the effectiveness of ward tribunals in resolving land conflicts in rapidly urbanising cities in Tanzania, drawing lessons from five selected wards: Nzuguni, Kizota, Nkuhungu, Kilimani, and Mkonze in Dodoma City. The research employed a cross-sectional design and collected data from landholders, ward tribunal members, Ward Executive Officers (WEOs), land officers, and town planners from Dodoma City Council, selected through systematic and purposive sampling. Data were collected from 156 respondents using surveys, interviews, and documentary reviews. The findings indicate that sources of land conflicts across the five wards included boundary disputes, inheritance issues, land ownership, and land use rights. The results revealed that approximately 34% of conflicts were successfully resolved by ward tribunals, while the remainder were referred to the District Land and Housing Tribunal and Dodoma City Council. The low percentage of resolved land conflicts was attributed to a lack of knowledge regarding legal issues and responsibilities, as well as limited resources, which hindered their ability to mediate effectively. The study concludes that ward tribunals in the area resolve land conflicts in the area at an average level; however, improvements are needed. This highlights the necessity for comprehensive training programmes to equip ward tribunal members with legal principles and guidelines, conflict resolution skills, and ethical responsibilities, thereby empowering them to manage disputes effectively and fairly. It is essential to allocate adequate resources to support their operations, including technology, office space, and administrative support. Furthermore, there is a need to educate community members about the roles and functions of ward tribunals to build trust and encourage the utilisation of community-based land conflict resolution.